Imaginasium | Inbound/Outbound Marketing | 5 minute read
What to Look for When Hiring an Inbound Marketing Agency
Why to Consider Hiring an Inbound Marketing Agency
A digital marketing strategy is a must - have for any business, including manufacturers. But there are many channels on which to focus your attention, and not all may b e right for your business needs . Plus, as we said, i t’s difficult to keep up with the ever -changing landscape that is digital marketing . Search engines and social platforms continuously evolve , seeming to change best practice rules overnight . An inbound marketing agency team keeps up with the latest trends and regularly hones their skills , helping ensure marketing campaigns perform at their best. A marketing partner can b ring a fresh eye to your business . You and your staff are ingrained in the day - to -day operations , and you certainly know the problems you are trying to solve. Sharing your story with an outside firm that brings diversity in knowledge and skill can provide a different viewpoint , not to mention creative solutions , you may not have considered . An inbound marketing firm is made up of people who are s killed in many areas . Y ou may have a marketing associate who is a top-notch writer but doesn’t understand search engine marketing, or vice versa . An inbound marketing agency can provide a well -rounded team that is skilled in many areas of digital marketing , as well as traditional marketing. The team would be a perfect complement to the skills you already have in house. Inbound marketing firms k eep an eye on results . After all, if the firm doesn’t deliver results, it probably won't have your business . Plus, because the firm’s team is so laser - focused on performance , they are agile, and able to make changes when something isn’t working the way it should.
Top 10 Tips for Hiring an Inbound Marketing Agency
If you’ve decided hiring an inbound marketing agency is the right move for your business, we've developed a Top 10 list of what to consider before and during the vetting process.
1. Determine your business's KPIs and how marketing can help your goals
Knowing what you want to accomplish will help your marketing partner develop and track the right metrics.
2. Look for a company that caters to your industry
Manufacturers have a specific set of needs. When it comes to marketing, you need a team who understands the technical aspect of your business, how purchasing decisions are made, and how to guide and nurture buyers through the long decision-making process. If you are looking for a recruitment marketing plan, your partner needs to understand the intricacies of hiring skilled manufacturing employees and where to find them.
3. Do they do what they say they do?
Take a look at their own marketing. Is the firm actively engaging in social media? Does it blog and offer other educational content? Is their website easy to navigate with information that helps you make a decision? If an inbound marketing agency isn’t doing for itself what it says it'll do for you, you may want to look elsewhere.
4. Make sure your partner benchmarks the performance of your marketing channels
Before any work starts—maybe even before you sign an agreement—the inbound marketing firm should request access to analytics from your digital marketing channels, including your website, social platforms, and email marketing campaigns. Without a benchmark, you will not be able to judge success.
5. Keep an Open Mind
You may go into an introductory meeting with an inbound marketing agency thinking you need one thing. But through discussion, you may realize you need something else. This could happen because the marketing team brings that different perspective with the ability to ferret out problems or opportunities you may have missed.
6. Are they a good match for your team?
Go into an introductory meeting with the same mindset you would an employee interview. Does the team fit your culture? Are they willing to collaborate and, if needed, train your staff so that campaigns reach peak performance faster?
7. Get references
Ask the prospective agency for references of businesses they’ve worked with. Ask vendors or professional acquaintances if they have worked with the firm or know someone who has. Ask for samples of their work. Like any business relationship, it’ll pay to do your homework.
8. Ensure transparency
When hiring an inbound marketing agency, you need to ask for performance measures. Determine how often you would like to receive performance reports and what type of data you’d like shared.
9. Get a detailed agreement
Make sure the firm outlines what you are getting for the cost. Each service should be itemized. Request that scope changes be approved before work continues.
10. Understand the ROI
Ask about expectations for return on investment and a timeline for when the goals are expected to be reached. The marketing plan’s goals should align with your business goals.